Tutorial • 3d Star • Style 1

Project Description:

3D Stars are appropriate for so many decorating events. These are shown here with a strong patriotic color scheme directed toward Independence Day celebrations but with different color schemes they could easily be used for Christmas decor (silver and white). How about New Year's Eve (black and gold)? Or any awards celebration in school colors.

This tutorial is for the multi-layered star in the lower left. It is a five- pointed 3D star assembled from 5 separate diamond shaped boxes each made of 3 layers. Sounds complicated? It isn't. The beauty of this cutting file is that you get a variety of stunning stars from a simple combination piece. The pieces from this star can be combined in different combinations to make other stars as well. Because I predict I will design many more stars and unique descriptions will be hard, this is Style 1. It is 11.5" tall and 1" thick.

Possibilities:

Assemble them with the short point to the center and 5 units produces the white star.

But make 10 of the individual box units and glue them together with the long point to the center and you'll create a very different medallion star.

Same pieces, just a different final step.

Combine them with my other 3D star files and create an impressive constellation of starts to suspend above your 4th of July summer feast!

3D Star - Style 1 Tutorial

8.5 x 11" card stock - I used the 65lb Cardstock from Recollections for the colors and plain index card stock for the white layers. This exact star requires 5 pieces of white, 5 pieces of blue and 2 pieces of red. Thicker papers will be problematic.

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Tacky glue

Parts sizes: (For those importing into Design Space) Sizes in inches. Note file is in 2 layers with cut lines on one and dotted lines on other.

Layer 1

All pieces grouped together 7.955 h x 7.630 w

Polygon 7.225 h x 7.430 w

Star 2.095 h x 2.205 w

Hanger .950h x 2.675 w

Layer 2 - 6.363 H x 6.964 wLayer 3 - 3.478 h x 6.638 w

Steps for completing the Star:

1. Download the cutting files for your cutting machine. The files are available here.

2. Load the files into your cutting software following the steps for your cutting machine.

3. Prepare and cut the files:.

This star is made up of 5 box units. Each box is constructed from 3 cut pieces, layer 1 is white, layer 2 is blue and layer 3 is red. You need to cut 5 of each piece.

Helpful Hints:

For the Silhouette: The SVG files from this site will need to be turned into cutting files.Click here for detailed steps on how to use SVG files on your Silhouette. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-upload-svg-silhouette

For Cricut Explore: Melody Lane has put together a helpful video on how to import 3dCuts files into Design Space. I recommend you view it here. http://youtu.be/EtY_VaNn1y8 I have also grouped the dotted lines into one group to make it easy to label them as score lines.

4. Assembly layer 3 first.

Choose 1 of the red shapes and fold on all dotted lines. All folds go inward in the same direction.

Use 3/16" glue dots to glue the 4 corners together.

Assemble all 5 red shapes.

Save for later.

5. Assemble layer 2 - blue layer.

Fold along all dotted lines. All folds go inward in the same direction.

Glue all four corners together using glue dots - but DO NOT glue down the top.

Assemble all 5 blue layers.

6. Insert red layer into blue layer.

The red layer goes into the blue layer. The open side is facing down so that the red surface area will be floating in the middle of the blue box.

It is easiest to slide in if you insert the skinny point first.

The fit is close.

Add a dab of hot glue between the red box and the side wall to hold the red box in place within the blue box.

Add a dab of hot glue to each long side.

7. Glue down the top of the blue box.

I use hot glue here in small steps but I had to move quickly. You can use glue dots or a slower drying glue if you want more time for positioning.

I quickly ran a bead of hot glue down the long side of the box and glued that in place. I positioned it carefully to keep the box in shape.

Next, roll back the upper half of the top and apply hot glue to both remaining edges. Glue the cover in place working carefully for correct positioning.

Repeat for all blue/red boxes.

8. Start the White box.

Fold all the dotted fold lines in.

Add hot glue to the tab at the sharp point end and glue that edge of the box together.

Next run a bead of Tacky glue along the center of the long edge of the white box. Use Tacky glue so you have a few minutes to reposition the blue piece. It will get glued into the middle of the white box.

Slide the blue box into the partially constructed white one. Position it in the middle of the box from front to back, with an equal space on each side. Let the glue dry.

Once the first edge is in place you can use hot glue for the others. Add hot glue to the center of the other long side and glue the blue box in place again positioning it in the middle. Make sure you work to keep the blue box centered front to back in the white box.

Glue the corner tab in place and then the short edge.

Continue for the remaining corners being careful to glue in the tabs before gluing sides.

Hot glue or glue dots work for this step.

Glue down the cover for the white box. Use hot glue doing only the long side and then placing. Work carefully so placement is accurate.

Curl back the short portion and add hot glue, then press in place.

Repeat for all five diamond shaped boxes.

Apply hot glue to the short side on one diamond box.

Glue to the next. Work on a flat surface to keep things in line.

Continue with each additional diamond box.

Glue a star into the center as an accent.

If you plan to hang the star add the hanger using hot glue.

Style 1 Star is finished!

Consider making 10 more diamond boxes and assemble with the long points in - a totally different star!!

Or combine 5 of the the diamond boxes from Star 1 with 5 from Star 3 and create a complex new star.